Apparatus for mining coal



Dec- 1, 1936- J. F. JoY

PPRATUS FOR MINING COAL Original Filed Oct. 13, 1931 W. 0, W/ Mwfi/ wwww w N w 0 w a w: -W w z; 9% w w z w w 07 au f o v0 w a w w 4 f MMM.

Patentecl Dec. 1,1936

APPARATUS FOR MINING COAL Joseph F. Joy, Claremont, N. H., assignor toSullivan Machinery Company,

Massachusetts a corporation of Original application October 13, 1931,Serial No. 568,596. Divided and this application July 30, 1334, SerialNo. 737,557

45 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for mining coal, and moreparticularly has reference to improvements in mining apparatus of theso-called thin kerf type for cutting very thin slots in the coal face.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal miningapparatus. Another object is to provide an improved coal miningapparatus having improved adjustable supporting means for the slotCutting devices. A further object is to provide an improved adjustablesupporting means for the slot cutting devices whereby slots may be cutinthe coal face either horizontally or vertically and in any desiredlocation between the mine roof and mine fioor and between the ribs. Yetanother object of this invention is to provide an improved coal miningapparatus having an improved bottom supporting structure for slidablysupporting' the apparatus for movement over the mine floor and havingsupported thereon improved parallel motion supporting and adjustingstructure for the slot Cutting devices. Still another object is toprovide an improved mining apparatus of the type slidable on its bottomover the mine floor and having its main base reciprocable on its bottomsupport and having improved elevating mechanism in the form of a linkagemounted on the mainv base for adju'sting the coal Cutting devices. Stillanother object is to provide in a mining apparatus of the aboveCharacter improved means for elevating and depressing the linkageelevating mechai'lism for the coal cutting devices, together withimproved means for feeding the apparatus both during the Cuttingoperation and movement of the apparatus about the mine. A still furtherobject of this invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus ofthe flexibly-fed, floor cutter type slidable over the mine floor andhaving improved acljustable slot cutting devices. These and otherobjects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter morefully appear.

This application is a division of my application Ser. No. 568,596, filedOctober 13, 1931.

In the accompanying drawing there is shown for purposes of illustrationone form which the invention may assuine in practice.

In this drawing,-

- VFig. l is a side elevational view of the illustrative embodment ofthe improved coal mining apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the coal mining apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

In this illustrative embodiment of the inven- 5 to which are pivotallyattached pairs of parallel links 6, 6 at the pivot points l. The outerends of the pairs of links 6, 6 are joined by the cutter head support'pivotally connected thereto, as at 9. The mid-portions of the upperlinks are provided With'arms Ill which pivotally engage the piston rodsII of a pair of hydraulic cylinders 12, the latter arranged at the sidesof the base and being pivotally attached to the upright frame portionsSat their lower ends at |3.

Consequently, when pressure fiuid is admitted to the hydraulic cylinders12 the links 6, 6 and the cutter head support 8 will be swung upward ordownward, the links cooperating to form a parallel motion linkage foradjustablysupporting the cutting devices.

The main base I is provided with a motor M having a magnetic'startingbox |5. The motor M transmits poWer'thro-ugh vappropriate mechanism to adrive shaft lrunningsubstantially parallel to the links (5,V 6. Thedrive shaft |6 is provided with a swinging connection H, wherebyf itreceives power from the motor Ill regardless of Aits position, and isalso provided with a clutch l8 shifted by a clutch lever l9 to connector disconnect the drive shaftil from the cutter mechanism hereinafterdescribed. Beyondthe clutch I 8, the driveshaft I|6 'continues, throughanother swinging connection 20, through` appropriate mechanism, to thecutting devices.

The cutter head 2| vis joined to the cutter' head support 8 by theconnecting arm 22 and is rotatable relativelyi thereto aboutalong'itudinal axis at right angles to theaxis of the swing'ingconnection 20, and this head is rotated by means of a worm gear 23secured to the cutterlhead and engaged by a worm 24 mounted in the yokearm 25 attached to the' cutter head connection 2| (Fig. 2). The parallelmotion linkage, as it is swung relative to the base, maintains thecutter head axis always parallel to a common straight'v line extendinglongitudinally of the main base.

The connectingv arm 22 pivotally engages the cutter head support 8 on ahorizontal axis running through the center of the jointed connection 263Vand lis-tiltable vrelatively 'thereto 'by means of a piston rod 26pivotally secured thereto as at 21. The piston rod 26 is mounted in ahydraulic cylinder 28, whereby it is moved in or out, thereby tiltingthe cutter head 2| up or down relative to the cutter head support 8around the above mentioned horizontal axis, and as a result the angle inaltitude of the head axis may be changed at will.

The cutter head 2| is provided with an elongated cutter blade 29 havinga power driven endless cutter chain 3|! orbitally movable about themargin there'of by a sprocket 3| at the inner end and supported by asprocket mounted on the shaft 32 at its outer end. This cutter blade isrelatively thin and long whereby a narrow slot may be cut relativelydeep into the seam of coal. The sprocket 3| is mounted upon a shaft 33which is operatively connected through appropriate mechanism, by way ofthe drive shaft |6, the swinging connections |1 and 2|),` and the clutch|8, to the motor |4. Accordingly, when the motor |4 is in operation, andthe clutch IB is engaged, the cutting teethpursue an orbital path aroundthe cutter blade 29 along the marlginal edge of the latter. The cutterblade is provided with a depth stop 34 engageable with the coal face,whereby the depth of the slit may be regulated, and with a guard 35housing the rear `portion of the. saw chain to protect the operator frominjury by the cutting teeth 30. The cutter blade 29 is provided with anacljustment 36 for taking up slack in the cutting teeth 30.

The main base is provided with a pair of hydraulic cylinders 40, 49mounted thereon, one at each side thereof, and provided with piston rods4| secured to the ways 2 as at 42. Co-nsequently, when pressure fiuid isadmitted to the hydraulic -cylinders 40, 40, the main base I isreciprocated longitudinally relative to the ways 2. In this manner thecutterblade 29 may be fed longitudinally into the coal face. The mainbase is provided with guide pulleys 43 (Fig. 2) and the Aways 2 areprovided with flanges 44 which carry -anchor jacks 49, and are securedat their ends to rings (Fig. 2)4 on the: sides of the cutter head 2|.The opposite ends of the flexible feeding cables 46 and 41 are woundupon cable drums 5| and 52, respectively, mounted upon parallel,longitudinally extending, horizontal shafts 53 and 54 at the rearwardend of the machine. The shafts 53 and 54 carry gears 55 and 56 whichengage appropriate gearing and other mechanism transmitting powerthereto from the motor |4. As a result, when the motor |4 is rotated,the cable drums 5| and 52 are likewise rotated so that one of the cables46, 41 .is drawn in while the other cable is paid out, thereby movingthe entire machine bodily in a lateral direction over the mine In thisway a horizontal slot is cut, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be obviousthat a similar 'result would be obtained by omitting the anchor rings 59(Fig. 1) and anchoring the cables 46, 41 directly to the anchor jacks 49instead of continuing them over pulleys to the anchorage rings 5|) onthe cutter head 2|.

`It will benoted that I have provided a coal mining machine which iscapable of cutting vertical slots A, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of thehydraulic cylinders |2 and the links 6; or horizontal slots B, as shownin Fig. 2, by means of the flexible .feeding cables 46, 41 and theassociated mechanism; or the longitudinal incisions C, as shown in Fig.2, by reciprocating the main frame upon the ways 2 through the action ofthe hydraulic cylinders 40.

For cutting the Vertical kerfs A the cutter blade 29 is entered near theroof of the mine and then lowered by the linkage mechanism 6 to cut saidVertical kerfs successively and from the roof to the floor of the minechamber, as illustrated in Fig. l. The horizontal slots B are thenformed by entering the cutter blade of the machine S into the wall ofcoal adjacent one side of the mine Chamber, and then feeding the machinelaterally to the other side of the Chamber by the flexible' feedingropes 46, 41. This will be apparent upon inspection of Fig. 2, and itwill be noted that the cutter blade 29 at this time is positioned atright angles to its position for cutting the Vertical slots.I-Iorizontal slots may be inserted in the coal at any desired elevationbetween the mine roof and the mine floor by rotating the head 2| to movethe cutter blade 29 into a horizo-ntal cutting position, and operatingthe hydraulic cylinders |'J to swing the parallel motion linkage 6,thereby to raise or lower the cutter head 2|. The head may be rotatedinto the Vertical cutting position shown in Fig. 1, and the parallelmotion linkage 6 is then employed for swinging the cutter blade in aVertical plane. The hydraulic cylinders 40 are employed for moving thecutter blade in a longitudinal direction with respect to the skid toinsert a longitudinal incision in the coal face. These and other usesand advantages of the improved coal mining machine will be clearlyapparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form whichthe invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that thisform of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that theinvention may be modified and embodied in various other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or the scope of the 'appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

`1. In a mining apparatus, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor andhaving a longitudinal guideway, a mainbase reciprocable on said skid guideway, means for reciprocatng saidmain base on said guideway relative to said skid, elevating mechanismcomprising a vertically swingable arm structure pivotally mounted at itsre'ar end on the rear- Ward portion of said main base and overlying thelatter, a vertically disposed kerf cutter supported on the forwardextremity of said arm structure, means for driving said kerf cutter, andmeans for swinging said arm structure vertically .about its pivot tomove said kerf cutter in an arcuate path about the arm structure pivotaxis Yto cut a Vertical kerf.

base reciprocable on said skid guideway, means v for reciprocating saidbase on said guideway relative to said skid, elevating mechanismcomprising a vertically swingable arm structure mounted on said mainbase, a kerf cutter supported on said arm structure and adjustable intohorizontal and Vertical cutting positions, means for driving said kerfcutter, means for swinging said arm structure vertically about its pivotto move said kerf cutter, when the latter is in Vertical cuttingposition, to cut a Vertical kerf and toadjust said kerfcutter', when thelatter is in horizontal cutting position, into parallel horizontalplanes at different elevations, and means'for feeding the apparatusbodily l-aterally over the mine'fioor to move said kerf cutter when thelatter is in horizontal cutting position, to cut horizontal rectilinearkerfs in any of aforesaid horizontal planes.

3. In a mining apparatus, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection' over the mine floor and having a longitudinal guideway, amain base mounted on said skid 'for reciprocation on said skid guideway,means for reciprocating said main base on said guideway relative to saidskid, elevating mechanism comprising a vertically swingable armstructure pivotally mount- `ed at its rear end on the rearward portion'of said main base and overlying the latter, a horizontal kerf cuttersupported on the forward extremity of said arm structure, means forswinging said 'arm structure vertically about its pivot to move saidkerf cutter into horizontal cutting planes at different elevations,means for driving said kerf cutter, and means for tilting said kerfcutter about a horizontal axis relative to said arm structure intocutting planes inclined with respect to the horizontal.

4. In a mining apparatus, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor and having a longitudinal guideway, a mainbase reciprocable on said skid guideway, a kerf cutter supported on saidmain base, flexible feeding means for feeding the app'aratus bodilylaterally over the mine floor to effect ho-rizontal rectilinear cuttingfeed of said kerf cutter transversely across the coal face, said feedingmeans including a power operated feed Operating member on said base anda cooperating flexible feed- `ing element, guiding means for saidflexible feeding element including a guiding element on said skid, andmeans for elfecting relative reciprocation between said skid and base tovary the loca- Vtion of said guiding e1ement relative to said base,

said fiexible feeding element'being extensible from said feed Operatingmember about said guiding element to an extraneous abutment located atthe rib. o

5. In a mining apparatus, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor and having a longitudinal guideway, a mainbase reciprocably mounted on said skid guideway, a kerf cutter supportedon said main base and adjustable relative thereto into horizontal andVertical cutting positions, means for reciprocating said main base backand forth along said skid guideway to effect rectilinear sumping andwithdrawal movements of said kerf cutter When the latter is in saidVertical cutting position, andmeans for feeding the apparatus bodilylaterally over the mine floor for effecting horizontal rectilinear feedof said kerf cutter trans- ,versely across the coal face when said kerfcut- Vter is in said horizontal cutting position.

6. In a mining apparatus, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the \mine floor and having a longitudinal guideway, amain base reciprocably mounted on said skid `guideway, a kerf cuttersupported on said main base and adjustable relative thereto intohorizontal and vertical cutting positions, means for ad- Vjusting saidkerf cutter, when the latter is in `Vaforesaid horizont-al cuttingposition, into horizontal cutting planes at different elevationsrelative to said main base, means for reciprocating said main base backand forth along said skid 'guideway toijeife'ct r'ectiline'arsumpr'ig'and withdrawal movements ,of said kerf cutter when the latteristin saidtvertical' cutting position, and means forzfeeding theapparatus bodily laterally over thevmine floor for effecting rectilinearhorizontalfeeding: ofsaid :kerf cutter transversely across the coal face'when the latter is vin any of aforesaid horizontal` cuttingpositions.

7. A coal mining machine comprising a' main base, afskidrplateA slidablyarranged relative to said main'base, a/motor mounted on said main base,winding drums mounted at one end of said main base,'.'a Vparallelmotionlinkage secured to and :overhanging said? main base, and'coalcutting .devices 'secured to' the outer end of said linkage. i i `.8. Acoal `mining machine comprising a main base, a skid plate slidably-arranged relative to said main base, a motor mounted on said main base,winding drums mounted at one end of said main base, a parallelmotionlinkage secured to an upright member mounted `on said .main basenear one end thereof and overhanging. said-main base, and coal cuttingdevices secured to the outer end of said linkage and driven by. saidmotor.

9. `In combination, in a hydraulic control system for a coalmining'machine of the floor cutter type slidable on its bottom over amine floor, a coal cutting devicefmeans for Operating said coal cuttingdevice, a hydraulic cylinder for horizontally moving said coal cuttingdevice to vfeed the latter in an endwise directioina hydraulic cylinderfor vertically moving saidcoal cutting device to feed the latter in aVertical direction, and a hydraulic cylinder for tilting said coalcutting device about an axis transverse to its length into angularlyrelated cutting planes, tilting by said .last mentioned cylindereffecting cutting device tilt relative to the hydraulic cylinder whichveffects 'Vertical movement of the cutting. device.

10. A mining machine comprisingv a skid plate, a main base reciprocablerelative thereto, elevat- .ing mechanism icomprising a linkage mounted'on said main base, cutting devices supported on said linkage andadjustable relative thereto into horizontalf and Vertical cuttingplanes, a power source, means operated by said power. source forOperating said cutting devices, means operated by said power source forelevating and depressing said `linkage to cause said cutting devices tocutza slot in a Vertical plane, and feeding devices operableito effectbodily movement'of said skid' plate and said. cutting devices :mountedAth'ereon tocut a slot in a horizontal plane.

11. .In a mining machine, a base, a frame guided for-longitudinalfmovement thereon, a linkage v`mounted onV vsaid frame inoverlying relation `thereon to swing relative thereto about a pivot;located at the rear end of said frame, a vertical kerf cutter supportedon said linkage, `and means for moving'said frame longitudinallyrelative to said base. V

12. In a mining machine, a base having a longitudinal guideway, a framereciprocably mountv led on said base guideway, a linkage pivotallymounted on said frame in overlyingfirelation vthereon to swing upwardlyrelative to said frame floor, a linkage mounted on'said base inoverlyingrelation thereon and adapted to swing upsty wardly relative to said baseabout a pivot located at the rear end of said base, kerf Cutting devicessupported on said linkage, means Comprising hydraulic cylinders forraising and lowering said linkage relative to said base to move saidkerf Cutting devices into Cutting planes at different elevations, and apower source mounted on said base and drivingly connected with saidCutting devices. i

14.`In a mining machine, a base adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over a mine floor, a linkage mounted on said base in overlyingrelation thereon and adapted to swing up- `wardlyrelative to saidbaseabout a pivot located at the rear end of said base, Cutting devicesadapted to cut a Vertical slot supported by said linkage, a power sourcemounted on said base and drivingly connected with said Cutting devices,and hydraulic ,cylinders between said linkage. and said base to feedsaid Cutting devices in a Vertical direction to cut a Vertical slot.

15. In a mining machine, a base, a linkage .mounted at its rear end onthe rearward portion of said base andadapted to swing upwardly relativeto said base, Cutting devices pivotally supported on said linkage, meanscomprising a -hydraulic cylinder for tilting said Cutting devicesrelative to'said linkage. to move said Cutting de- Vices' into angularlyrelated Cutting planes with respect thereto, and means comprisinghydraulic Cylinders for raising and lowering said linkage relative tosaid'base.

16. A mining machine comprising a main base, a skid plate slid'ablyarranged relative to said main base, a motor on said main base, alinkage secured to and overhanging saidmain base and including linkelements straddling said motor, and a cutter secured to the outer end ofsaid linkage and driven by said motor.

17. A mining machine Comprising a main base, a skidjplate ,slidablyarranged relative to said main base, a motor on said main base, alinkage secured to upright members mounted on the main base at itsopposite sides near one end thereof and overhanging said main base, saidlinkage including parallel link elements straddling said motor, and acutter bar secured to the outer end of said linkage and having Cuttingelements driven by said motor.

18.In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floonan arm structure pivotally mounted on saidskid to swing in a Vertical direction relative thereto, a horizontalplane cutter carried at the outer extremity of said arm structure andhaving Cutting elements movable in a horizontal orbit about the marginof said cutter, and means for swinging said arm structure relative tosaid skid .to move said cutter into horizontal Cutting planes atdifferent elevations.

19. In a mining machine, a portable base, an arm structure pivotallymounted on said base to swing inl a Vertical direction relative thereto,a ,kerf cutter carried at the outer extremity of said arm structure,means for swinging said arm structure relative to saidbase to move saidkerf cutter into horizontal Cutting planes at different elevations,means for moving said arm structure longitudinally relative to said baseto effect rectilinear sumpingand withdrawal movements of said kerfcutter, and means distinct from said last mentioned meansfor fe'edingthe machine bodily `laterally over the mine floor to move said kerfcutter relativeto the material to. be cut in any of V-aforesaidhorizontal Cutting planes.

aoeaese tical direction about its pivot to move said cutter head axisinto horizontal positions at different elevations with respect to saidbase.

21. In a mining machine, a portable base, a support mounted on said baseto slide horizontally relative'thereto, an arm structure pivotallymounted on said sliding support to swing in a Vertical directionrelative thereto, a plane kerf cutter carried at the outer extremity ofsaid arm structure, and means for swinging said arm structure relativeto said support to move said kerf cutter into horizontal Cutting planesat different elevations.

22. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor, a parallel motion arm structure pivotallymounted at its rear end on the rearward portion of said skid to swing ina Vertical direction relative thereto, a plane kerf cutter carried atthe outer extrernity of said arm structure, means for swinging said armstructure relative to said skid to move said kerf cutter into parallelVCutting planes with respect thereto, and means for moving said armstructure in a direction longitudinally of said skid to effectrectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements of said kerf cutter.

23. In a mining machine, a portable base supported for movement over themine floor, aparal'- lel motion arm structure pivotally mounted on saidbase to swing in' a Vertical direction relative thereto, a kerf cuttercarried at the outer extremity of said arm structure, means for swingingsaid arm structure relative to said base to move said kerf cutter intoparallel Cutting planes with respect thereto, means for moving said basein an endwise direction relative to the mine fioor to effect rectilinearsumping and withdrawal movements of said kerf cutter, and means distinctfrom said endwise moving means for moving the ma- Chine bodily laterallyover the mine fioorV to move the kerf cutter laterally relative to 'thematerial to be Cut to effect Cutting in any of aforesaid Cutting planes.

24. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine fioor, a parallel motion arm'structure pivotallymounted at its rear end on therearward portion of said skid to swing ina Vertical direction relative thereto, a plane kerf cutter carried atthe outer extrernity of said arm structure, means for swinging said armstructure relative to said skid to move said kerf cutter into parallelCutting planes with respect thereto, and means for adjusting said kerfcutter into a Cutting plane perpendicular to aforesaid parallel Cuttingplanes.

25. In a mining machine, a portable base supported for movement over themine floor, 'a parallel motion arm structure pivotally mounted on saidbase to Swing m a Vertical direction relative thereto, a plane kerfcutter carried at'the outer extremity of said arm structure, means forswinging said arm structure relativetosaidbase to move said kerf cutterinto parallel horizontal| Cutting planes with respect thereto, means formoving said base in an endwise direction relative to the mine fioor toeffect rectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements of' said kerfcutter, means separate from said endvvise moving means for feeding themachine bodily laterall'y over the mine fioor to move the kerf cutterlaterally relative to the material to be Cut in any of 'aforesaidparallel horizontal Cutting planes, and meansfor adjusting said kerfcutter into a Cutting plane perpendicular to aforesaid Cutting planes.

26. In a rnining machine, a portable base, a cutter head rotatable on ahorizontal axis, a kerf cutter carried by said cutter head, means foradjusting said cutter head in a Vertical direction relative to said baseto move the head axis into horizontal positions at different elevations,said kerf cutter being swingable with said head into different Cuttingpositions about the head axis in any elevated positions of said headwithrespect to said base, and means for moving said cutter head andadjusting means therefor longitudinally relative to said base to effectrectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements of said kerf cutter.

27. In a mining machine, a portable base, a cutter head rotatable abouta horizontal axis, a kerf cutter carried by said cutter head, means' foradjusting said cutter head in a Vertical direction relative to said baseto move the head aXis into horizontal positions at different elevations,said kerf cutter being swingable with said head into diiferent |Cuttingpositions about the head axis in any elevated positions of said headwith respect to said base, means for moving said cutter head andadjusting means therefor longitudinally relative to said base to effectrectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements'of said kerf cutter, andmeans separate from said last mentioned means for feeding the machinebodily over the mine floor to move said kerf cutter into the material tobe cut.

'28. 'In a mining machine, a portable base supported for movement overthe mine fioor, a plane kerf cutter, adjustable supporting means on saidbase for adjusting said kerf cutter into horizontal Cutting positions atdifferentelevated positions relative to said base, means carried by saidsupporting means for adjusting said kerf cutter into horizontal andVertical Cutting positions, means for moving said base in an endwisedirection relative to the mine fioor to effect rectilinear sumping andwithdrawal movements of said kerf cutter, means for adjusting saidsupporting means relative to said base for moving said kerf cutter, Whenin said Vertical Cutting position, in a verticalplane to cut a Verticalkerf, and means for feeding. the machine bodily laterally over the minefioor, when said kerf cutter is in its horizontal Cutting position, tomove said cutter horizontally to cut' ashorizontal kerf. i

29; In a, mining machine, a' skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine fioor, a plane kerf cutter, means for adjustingsaid kerf cutter into either a Vertical or aV horizontal Cutting plane,means for feeding the kerf cutter bodily longitudinally relative to saidskid and to swing said kerf cutter in its plane when said cutter is inits Vertical Cutting position to leffect rectilinear sumping, Verticalswinging and rectilinear withdrawal movements thereof to cut a Verticalkerf, and means for moving the skid laterally over the floor when said-kerf cutter is in its horizontal Cutting position to cut a horizontalkerf.

3 30; In a mining machine, a portable base, a

and meansjseparate ,from'said last mentioned means for feeding' themachinejbodily;laterially over the mine fioor to'efiecthorizontalrectilinear Cutting feed vof said kerf cutter int any of afore`-; said'horizontal Cutting planes". e

31. In a mining'machine, a portable base;,j=a cutter head rotatablej-al'ioutffaj4 horizontaly'faxis, extending longitudina'llyfiof themachine,aI lerf cutter carried by said cutter'headforadjustment withsaid head aboutthe head axis into different Cutting planes,meansmounted'at therear'end of said baseifor elevating theF headielative'to said base to move said kerf cutter into parallel horizontalCutting 'planes vvhileV the head. axis always remains 'horizontalandfparallel tol a'comfl-l mon straight line, adjusting means'"forfV'tilti'ng said cutter head to incline the f'h'eadfaxis :with respect tothe horizontal tomoveJ said kerffcfut-v ter into Cutting planes inclinedwith respectV to the horizontal, and meansfor feeding' rthe,inahorizontal rectilinear' Cutting' 'feed-'of said fkerf cutter in anyof aforesaidhoriaontalandf inclin'ed cutting planes,

rest upon and slide-in any Vdirectionover'the' mine fioor and having alongitu'dina'l" g'uideway,| a frame mounted on said skid to'movelongitudinally along theV ski'df-g'uioleway, a 'cutterhad mounted onsaid'frafm'efor rotatin about a horizontal axis, a kerfcuttercarried'byV saidfcutt'er.

head Vand rotatable 'therevrith about the lhead axis 'into horizontaland-verticalficutting Vp'osi'- tions, means for driving' saidkerf-'cutter 'and '-ro'- tating said cutter head, means' for moving saidl frame longitudin'ally` alo'g 'the s'k'd'giide'vvay forwardly andrearwardly to'effect rectilinear sumping and withdrawalmovementseof'saidikerf cutter, means for 'swinging said kerf cutter,'vvhen the latter is invertic'al 'Cuttingpositi'om in' an arcuate pathto make"a `vvertioal' `swin`ging cut;l

and means for 'feeding the 'apparatus' bodily'laterally over the minefioor,' when'said Vkerf cutter is in horizontal' Cutting 'position,"to'leffect hori zontal lateral' feed of said kerf cutter! to vmakeahorizontal cut.}

33. 'In a mining apparatus, a portable'bas movable over the mine fioor,'a cutter h'eadro'-I tatable about a horizontal axis,f`an'"adjustablesupporting structure on said base 'for moving said cutter head intodifferent elevated positions rela-" tive to said base,ia kerf cuttercarried by'is'aid cutter head and rotatable therewithabout'fthe headaxis into horizontal and Vertical Cutting positions, means forv drivingsaid kerf cutter'and rotating said cutter head,` means for moving thebase bodily in an 'endwise direction 'forwardly and rearwardly relativeto the mine fioor to feed the kerf cutter 'to effect rectilinear.sumpirig and withdrawalV movements thereof, :means 'fora' adjustingsaid supporting, structure' when Vsaid kerfV .cutter is ;in VerticalCutting position, to feed the kerf cutter in a Vertical plane tocuta-vertical kerf and for moving the kerf cutter, when the latter is inhorizontal cutting position, into parallel horizontal cutting planes atdifferent elevations with respect to said base, and means for moving thebase bodily laterally across the mine floor, when said kerf cutter is inhorizontal cutting position, to feed the kerf cutter laterally to make ahorizontal cut.

34. In a mining apparatus, a portable base movable over the mine floor,an arm structure pivotally mounted on said base to swing in a Verticaldirection relative thereto, a cutter head mounted on the outer extremityof said armV structure for rotation relative thereto about a horizontalaxis, a kerf cutter carried by said cutter head and rotatable with thelatter abo-ut the head axis into horizontal and Vertical cuttingpositions, means for driving said kerf cutter and rotating said cutterhead, means for moving the base bodily forwardly and rearwardly in anend- Wise direction relative to the mine floor to feed the kerf cutterto effect rectilinear sumping and withdrawal movements thereof, meansfor swinging said arm structure, when said kerf cutter is in Verticalcutting position, to feed the kerf cutter vertically in an arcuate pathabout the arm structure pivot axis to makela Vertical cut and foradjusting said kerf cutter, when the latter is in horizontal cuttingposition, into parallel horizontal cutting planes atdifferent'elevations with respect to said base, and means for moving thebasebodily laterally across lthe mine floor, when said kerf cutter is inhorizontal cutting position, to feed said kerf cutter laterally to makea horizontal cut.

35. In a mining apparatus, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine fioorand having a longitudinal guideway, a mainbase reciprocable on said skid guideway, means for reciprocating saidmain base on said guideway relative to said skid, elevating mechanismmounted on said base, a vertically disposed kerf cutter supported bysaid elevating mechanism, means for driving said kerf cutter, and meansfor adjusting said elevating mechanism to move said kerf cutter in anarcuate path to cut a Vertical kerf.

36.: In a mining apparatus, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine fioor and having a longitudinal guideway, a mainbase reciprocable on said skid guideway, means for reciprocating saidbase on said guide- Way relative to said skid, elevating mechanismmounted on said main base, a kerf cutter supported by said elevatingmechanism and adjustable intovhorizontal and Vertical cutting positionswith respect thereto, means for driving said kerf cutter, means foradjusting said elevating mechanism to movesaid kerf cutter, when thelatter is in Vertical cutting position, to cut a Vertical kerf, and foradjusting said kerf cutter, when the latter is in horizontal cuttingposition, into parallel horizontal planes at different elevations, andmeans for feeding the apparatus bodily laterally over the mine floor tomove said kerf cutter, .when the latter isV in horizontal cuttingposition, to cut horizontal rectilinear kerfs in any of aforesaidhorizontal planes.

37. In a mining apparatus, a skid .adapted to rest upon and sliderin anydirection over the mine floor and having a longitudinal guideway, a mainbase mounted on said skid for reciprocation on said skid guideway, meansfor reciprocating said main base on said guideway relative to said skid,elevating mechanism mounted on said main base, a horizontal kerf cuttersupported by said elevating mechanism, means for adjusting saidelevating mechanism to move said kerf cutter into horizontal cuttingplanes at different elevations, means for driving said kerf cutter, andmeans for tilting said kerf cutter about a horizontal transverse axisrelative to said elevating mechanism into cutting planes inclined withrespect to the horizontal.

38. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine fioor, an arm structure pivotally mounted at itsrear end at the rearward portion of said skid to swing in a Verticaldirection relative thereto, a cutter carried at the outer extremity ofsaid arm structure, means for swinging said arm structure relative tosaid skid to move said cutter into horizontal cutting planes atdifferent elevations, and means .for feeding the machine bodilylaterally over the mine floor to move said cutter relative to thematerial to be cut in any of aforesaid horizontal cutting planes.

39. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor, an arm structure pivotally mounted at itsrear end at the rearward portion of said skid to swing in a Verticaldirection relative thereto, a cutter head mounted on the outer extremityof said arm structure to rotate relative thereto about a horizontal axisextending longitudinally of the machine, a plane kerf cutter carried bysaid cutter head and adjustable with said head about the head axis intohorizontal and Vertical Cutting planes, and means for swinging said armstructure vertically about its pivot to move the cutter head axis intohorizontal positions at different elevations.

40. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor, said skid having a longitudinal guideway,a frame mounted on said skid guideway for longitudinal movementtherealong, means for moving said frame along said skid guideway, an armstructure pivotally mounted on said movable frame to swing in a Verticaldirection relative thereto, a cutter carried at the outer extremity ofsaid arm structure, means for swinging said arm structure relative tosaid frame to move said cutter into horizontal Cutting planes atdifferent elevations, and means for feeding the machine bodily laterallyover the mine fioor to move said cutter relative to the material to becut in any of aforesaid horizontal cutting planes.

41. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor, said skid having a longitudinal guideway,a frame mounted on said skid for movement longitudinally along saidguideway, means for moving said frame along said skid guideway, an armstructure pivotally mounted on said frame to swing in a Verticaldirection relative thereto, a cutter head mounted on the outer extremityof said arm structure to rotate relative thereto about a horizontal axisextending longitudinally of the machine, a plane kerf cutter carried bysaid rotatable head and adjustable with said head about the head axisinto horizontal and Vertical cutting planes, and means for swinging saidarm structure vertically about its pivot to move the cutter head axisinto horizontal positions at different elevations.

42. In a mining machine, a base adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over a mine floor, an arm pivotally mounted at its rear end atthe rearward portion of said base in overlying relation thereon, saidarm swingable in a Vertical direction relative to said base, ahorizontal plane kerf cutter mounted on the forward extremity of saidarm and projecting forwardly in advance of said base, said kerf cutterhaving cutters movable in a horizontal orbit about the margin of saidkerf cutter, and means for swinging said arm vertically about its pivotrelative to said base to move said kerf cutter into parallel horizontalplanes at different elevations.

43. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor and having a longitudinal guideway, a kerfcutter supported on said main base, and flexible feeding means for saidmachine for feeding the latter bodily laterally over the mine floorincluding relatively rotatable feeding and controlling members mountedon said main base, feeding and controlling cables engaging said feedingand controlling members respectively and having their free extremitiesconnectible to extraneous abutments at the opposite ribs near theworking face, and guiding means for said flexible feeding andcontrolling cables including horizontal guide sheaves journaled on theforward end of said skid, the feeding and controlling cables extendingfrom said feeding and controlling members around said front guidesheaves laterally in opposite directions from the opposite sides of themachine, said laterally extending portions of said cables arrangedsubstantially parallel with the working face and in substantialalinement.

44. In a mining machine, a skid adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine floor and having a longitudinal guideway, a kerfcutter supported on said main base, and flexible feeding means for saidmachine for feeding the latter'bodily laterally over the mine fioorincluding relatively rotatable feeding and controlling members mountedon said main base, feeding and controlling cables engaging said feedingand controlling members respectively and having their free extremitiesconnectible to extraneous abutments at the opposite ribs near theWorking face, guiding means for said flexible feeding and controllingcables including horizontal guide sheaves journaled on the forward endof said skid, the feeding and controlling cables extending from saidfeeding and controlling members around said front guide sheaveslaterally in opposite directions from the opposite sides of the machine,said laterally extending portions of said cables arranged substantiallyparallel with the working face and in substantial alinement, and meansfor sliding said skid relative to said base to change the location ofsaid front guide sheaves relative to said main base.

45. In a mining machine, a frame adapted to rest upon and slide in anydirection over the mine fioor, an arm pivotally mounted on said frame toswing in a Vertical direction relative thereto, a cutter supportpivotally mounted on the outer extremity of said arm, a kerf cuttercarried by said cutter support and swingable with the latter intorelatively inclined cutting planes, and motor operated means foractuating said kerf cutter, for swinging said arm relative to saidframe, and for swinging said cutter support relative to said arm toposition the cutter for cutting in relatively inclined cutting planes. i

J OSEPH F. JOY.

